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Feds: No DNA tests for security clearances

Despite an notice from the Defense Department earlier this week indicating that federal officials were debating the use of DNA testing as part of the security clearance process, a top intelligence official said Wednesday that there is no current discussion of using individuals' genetic information in that way.

"No one in government is considering using DNA in background checks," Director of National Intelligence Spokesperson Shawn Turner told POLITICO Wednesday. "Two years ago, someone may have said something about this, but we're not considering it. It's not on the table at all."

Turner cautioned, however, that use of other biometrics is under discussion, beyond the photos, physicial description and fingerprints already part of background investigations. "Other biometrics [are] different. That's something that is on the table and something that's being looked at," the spokesman said.

A Pentagon spokeswoman also said Wednesday that the military isn't doing its own work on the issue. "DoD is not exploring the use of DNA in the security clearance process," Cmdr. Amy Derrick-Frost said. She had no immediate information on why the published notice implied such a review was underway.